11 year old exercising

thisisjl

Why is no one suggesting discussing this with the kid?

Because this just started earlier today and before I have an indepth conversation about how much or little she should use the equipment I thought I'd get suggestions on what's to much at this age. I'd rather be informed with information rather than tell her something or tell her I don't know and have to look it up. I never said I wasn't going to talk with her.

Kara_xxx

This thread made me quite sad, in the sense that it even exists. :frown:

I think the biggest difference between kids today and when I was a child are that we were never bored, always up to doing something, playing outside without this ridiculous parental paranoia that exists now. You were home when it gets dark and those were the rules.

Plus we never had free access to food. I now see kids just going into the kitchen, opening a cupboard, taking what they like without asking and walking off to their room. When did that become acceptable?? My mother or grandmother would have gone apoplectic if I had done that. You could ask to have something but no meant no.

MessyLittlePanda

Hiya,

I used to run a programme for kids/teens as part of Change for Life here in the UK. Part of that was helping kids who did not excel at or like school type sports to discover different types of exercise so we took the 11-16's to visit a local gym that does teen gym sessions - some kids get on better with doing their own gym workout routines and improving their personal performance than doing more traditional competitive sports. Some of the teens who started off going to teen gym then went on to start doing classes like dance/zumba or trying out sports, using the machines helped build their confidence. So long as they don't overdo it or get obsessed, it's not a bad thing at all.

thisisjl

Kara. My house is not a free for all with food. If you want a snack, you ask for it, if I don't want you having an icecream cone I'm going to say nope there's some Kiwi in the fruit bowl or Carrot sticks in the fridge. As for exercising outside as I've said my kids do this too but we also like to go to the YMCA and go swimming. My sisters kids are use to s wimming on a daily basis because they have a pool in their back yard so we've been going to the Y more often so they can get their "fix" of swimming. I as a kid was also outside every single day sun up to sun down riding my bike all over the darn place was I over weight YEP! did my parents let me have free for all on foods NOPE! It isn't necessarily all about playing outside more and parents feeding right. Like I said obesity runs in my family and while people can argue genetics doesn't make people fat it can give them screwed up metabolisms or something.

Kara_xxx

Kara. My house is not a free for all with food. If you want a snack, you ask for it, if I don't want you having an icecream cone I'm going to say nope there's some Kiwi in the fruit bowl or Carrot sticks in the fridge.

It's how it should be isn't it. :flowerforyou:
I just can't believe how many people just let their kids help themselves to whatever they like without even asking.

In the UK a well know fertilitist by the name of Prof Robert Winston is doing a longitudinal study called "Child of our times". He picked a load of babies from all sorts of social backgrounds all born on the 1.1.00 and basically follows their life to establish which aspects are nature and which are nurture. Obviously they're all around 12 now and a few years ago the series was focussed on 'play'... how many hours were spent in active play versus 'screen time' etc. It was quite shocking how many hours some of them were spending in front of TV, computer games, internet, playing with mobile phones etc. When he interviewed the parents, many said they weren't happy for their kids ever to be out of sight and it basically boiled down to excessive stranger danger. Many parents believed that the world today is somehow more dangerous then is was when they were kids etc and so they kept them in a lot more. It's quite an interesting study.

herownkindofwonderfull

I guess my question is, after all that back story, should I limit her to 30 minutes or should I let her work out 45-75 mintues with me?

At age 7 my daughter was doing an hour of gymnastics, at age 11 an hour of track running, and now at 13 she is doing an hour of dance (street modern jazz and disco), I'd say so long as YOU don't push her, she's fine. She'll mostly likely stop or slow down on her own without anyone pushing her to 'go for the burn' or what ever the current trendy phrase is.

^this

thisisjl

I don't beleive the world's gotten more dangerous I think crimes are being more sensationalized. My ex got mad because I let them ride their bikes 1 mile up the road to Target it was all back roads didn't need to worry about getting hit by a car on the busy road he thought it was to far to let my 11 year old go. I was like when I was her age I was riding 3 miles to to local swimming pool.

Kara_xxx

You're spot on and Robert Winston's conclusion was pretty much exactly that. The world hasn't hugely changed but the media sensationalises anything negative and bad creating this fear that it's somehow no longer safe to be out.

Interesting you mentioned cycling to the shops, because when they were about ten or so he interviewed parents and asked if they allowed their kids to walk to the corner shop for a pint of milk and some wouldn't. Part of growing up is to become more independent, and he did express concern that in those families where the kids weren't allowed to do anything at all without supervision, that it would ultimately hinder their development.

I think the way I grew up would these days almost be considered neglectful by some parents. We'd be out in the woods building dens for hours without an adult in sight. :happy:

yksdoris

From your Opening Post and the follow-ups I can already tell that you're approaching this WAY better than my parents did. My mom would every now and then say that when she was my age, she'd be into gymnastics and sporting ALL the time. While telling me, being overweight. My dad the same. The good old do as I say, not as I do approach obviously doesn't work.

You're doing the right thing: you took her along, she enjoyed it (probably because she could spend time with you as much as for the excercise itself). You're taking the kids along shopping and they are making the healthy choices. So yes, both discussion and modeling.'As far as I'm concerned, you're on the right path.

ajourneytoskinny

If I were you, I'd talk to her about her eating habits and perhaps introduce her to healthy snacks - one's that she'll prefer to chocolate and crisps! Such as a healthy variety fruits, granola bars etc.. In my opinion, I think she is too young to be working out at the gym. You should definitely encourage her to swim, go on bike rides, the trampoline and walks - I don't know what gym equipment she's using, but I think that it'd be detrimental in the future - she'll get an obsession with her weight and body, and that's often how eating disorders start but definitely encourage healthy habits!
I hope that helps:)
X

thisisjl

When I took them along I mostly kept asking ok do you want this or that and they would answer me. Then I could tell the 11 year old wanted something and so I asked she was like I really like green beans to snack on. I was like ok lets get you some green beans. She was afraid to ask for Green Beans? Then I calld their mom later and she was like so what did they con you into buying them...I was like well I did get them a bunch of fruits and vegatables and oh lordy there was that box of cheese it's. Oh and in the cereal aisle she asked for blueberry shredded wheats oh the horror.

jk262

I would let her go as long as she wants to. It's good that she's realizing health. You'll usually start to see signs if she starts thinking too much about body image. For example, she'll make comments or start really meticulously counting calories, limiting herself, becoming obsessed with how much to eat, etc. It sounds like she really looks up to you as an example and you're setting a great one for her!

RuthieCass

From what it sounds like, I think you may be over-thinking this a bit. Doing a little over an hour on the cardio machines is not that big of a deal for an 11 year old, especially since I'm guessing she's not trying to do super-high intensity or anything. Think about how much time kids that play sports exercise. I used to spend over 4 hours playing kickball, biking, and running around when I was a kid. I would suggest not discouraging her from doing-- she may even lose interest quickly and go back to wanting to swim all the time. If you see her over-exerting herself, just tell her to slow down and take it easy as to not injure herself. Otherwise just let her enjoy it. :-)

LaMujerMasBonitaDelMundo

I would say she will hit it hard for a short period, then either her focus will wane or her body will catch up with her. What I find ironic is when we were kids(I'm 37) we were out all day everyday, running, cycling, building/destroying things & that was normal, I guess what I am trying to say is her energy levels are high because of her age, leave her burn it off

Russ

I completely agree with this! A a kid I was almost literally running through life from 6am to 8pm everyday... I had so much energy and hiking, biking, climbing trees, digging holes, building forts and treehouses ect were all normal ways to spend every spare moment. I find it strange to think that ppl might think a kid may need to be restricted to a certain amount of exersize. I think if I'd ever had access to a gym at 11, I would have been playing for hours!

The only limiting factor may be if she seems to have an unhealthy obsession with weight loss or body image, otherwise, why try and slow her down? Its a great thing to be doing!

I second these two posts... I'm very proud to say that I belong to the generation of kids where there were no nintendo computer games, brick games, game boys, play stations etc. & so I was also a very active kid & would play outside with my cousins, brothers & sister, run, ride a bike, play basketball, swim etc. the whole day everyday. Also I remember when I was around 8 or 9 years old where my aunt at home would flop out a Jane Fonda or Richard Simmons "sweating to the oldies" workout into our betamax player & then I joined her to workout. Whenever I hear the phrase "go for the burn" or some oldies groovy songs, I can still recall those memories haha.

Its so sad that today's kids are becoming less active & preferred sitting on the couch with their video games instead of playing outside. No wonder why those illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, hypertension etc. that we normally associate for older folks are now becoming prevalent with young people as well.

All I can say is that as long as she does these things out of fun then I guess she'll be fine. Just make sure that she's getting the proper nutrition that her body needs.

bathsheba_c

Why is no one suggesting discussing this with the kid?

Because this just started earlier today and before I have an indepth conversation about how much or little she should use the equipment I thought I'd get suggestions on what's to much at this age. I'd rather be informed with information rather than tell her something or tell her I don't know and have to look it up. I never said I wasn't going to talk with her.

Fair enough. :flowerforyou:

ajfc1971

My daughter is the same age and roughly the same size give or take a lb, she is also trying to watch what she eats and has upped the excerise in school. At the moment there is not enough hrs in the day for her to go the gym out of school with all the commitments. She goes on about wanting to be thin but I always correct her and say 'she wants to be healthy' as it is bad for you health to be either to fat or to thin. She feels better in herself and has lost a few lbs nothing major. As for your niece doing to much excerise I wouldn't worry, her body will tell her when she has done to much. As long as she sticks to the equipment that the gym always her on she will be fine. 1 last thing, I have advised my daughter that even if she stays the same weight and feels better and eats healthier she will grow taller in time therefore will automatically be thinner naturally. Hope everything goes well.

madamepsychosis

Unless she winds up hurting herself, I wouldn't limit her. My school had a mini gym with machines and the like and we weren't limited to any of them. That was from the age of 11 too. If she's found something she actually enjoys, that can only be a good thing.

Giantess

Speaking as a teacher, kids her age have SO much energy. If she's having fun, let her work out! I would have loved to work out with my mom at a gym at that age. She probably feels grown up and healthy.

If she gets bored with it, she'll stop on her own and go back to more kiddy stuff. : )

lucylAnneMason

She shouldn't really be on any of the machines, but children under the age of 18 should be having 60 minutes of exercise a day, i was around the same weight when I was 11 and I went to aerobics class's at school and got down to 120lbs

Bobby_Clerici

In general this sounds good.
There are things parents can do for their kids which most do not. I want my own children to be at the top of life's food chain.
I have 5 kids and start them exercising at age 2. We call it "PT" which is USMC for "Physical Training".
It's not play time but serious. And it's neither optional nor negotiable.
At 8pm every day, we all gather and everybody does push-ups, pull-ups and sit ups. Once per week we study self-defense training.
We do not do any cardio as each kid in involved in sports: swimming, tennis, hiking, track or whatever.
There is no TV or junk food allowed in the house, and computer time is limited and monitored.
None of our kids have ever been fat, weak or bullied, and no teenager was ever on dope or in trouble.
All excel in sports, school and their social network.
Parents have a responsibility to prepare their kids for the rough world we live in.
Success is a choice.

ChaseAlder

I have sisters who are 14 and 9. I can't see either of them pushing themselves too hard in ANYthing they didn't have to, let alone miserable elliptical machines. I would say let her do what she feels comfortable with and when she feels done, she'll stop. Kids aren't gluttons for punishment like we are If they don't like it, they'll start complaining and trying to get out of it (at least in my experience).

Shelgirl001

I would say she will hit it hard for a short period, then either her focus will wane or her body will catch up with her. What I find ironic is when we were kids(I'm 37) we were out all day everyday, running, cycling, building/destroying things & that was normal, I guess what I am trying to say is her energy levels are high because of her age, leave her burn it off

Russ

I totally agree with this. I know when I was 11 or 12, I was out riding my bike all day or swimming or walking a whole lot and no one worried that I was doing too much exercise. It's important kids that age are active. She will learn a healthy lifestyle at a good age this way.

She should be fine unless there is something that physically prevents her from being that active and a dr says she should not be doing this.

DavPul

I guess my question is, after all that back story, should I limit her to 30 minutes or should I let her work out 45-75 mintues with me?

She's a kid. She can go twice as long as you can. What, are we expecting her to be tired from a long day at the office? Let her go for it. The injured girls in my daughter's gymnastics class spend the entire 90 min class on the cycle. Which brings to mind, the healthy girls go hard for 90 mins climbing ropes, tumbling, and jumping. Let her go for it. But supervision is a must if she's around the strength machines. Eventually she's going to drift in that direction out of curiosity or boredom.